As well as being space to enjoy and somewhere to chill out, gardens can be a great way to enhance the look of your home and add value to your property.
If you have a grassy area, you may be thinking of smartening it up. For a few years, artificial grass was a big thing.
But, thankfully, when it comes to choosing the right turf, many people are turning away from artificial grass and looking for a more natural solution. We’re here to tell you why we won’t use artificial grass in our garden designs, and why we advise using wildflower turf instead.
There are several reasons we think Artificial Grass is bad news and we won’t use it
When it comes to creating beautiful garden designs, you can see why artificial grass or turf can be popular. After all, it’s low-maintenance, cost-effective, and looks great all year round. But while it may be tempting to use artificial grass in a garden design, there are some drawbacks that we believe make it a less-than-ideal choice for several reasons.
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Artificial Grass lacks natural beauty
One of the biggest downsides of artificial grass is the lack of natural beauty it provides. There’s something about the lushness of real grass that can’t be replicated with artificial turf. Even the most realistic artificial grass can’t compare to the beauty of a real garden. For this reason, we will only use real grass (or even better, wildflower turf) in our garden designs.
Not only is real grass more aesthetically pleasing, but it also gives a garden a softer, more inviting feel. Artificial grass, on the other hand, can look a bit stark and unattractive when compared to real grass. That’s probably not surprising when you think what it is made from.
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Artificial Grass is not resilient
Another downside of artificial lawns is lack of resilience. While it may be able to withstand heavy foot traffic, it is not as resistant to wear and tear as real grass. Over time, the blades of artificial grass can become matted and worn out, making it look unsightly and detracting from the overall look of a garden design. Over time, weeds will also make their way through and damage the artificial grass.
Real grass is much more resilient and can withstand varying weather conditions, foot traffic, and other elements. It also blends much more easily with surrounding trees and greenery.
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There are serious Environmental Concerns with Artificial Grass
This is the big one for us. Artificial grass goes against our core principles of garden design and maintenance – that is that gardens should be created around the wildlife and the environment.
The most obvious downside to artificial turf is its negative impact on the environment. Artificial grass is made of plastic or synthetic materials, and its production requires a considerable amount of energy. This energy is often generated from fossil fuels, which contributes to global warming and climate change.
Additionally, artificial turf doesn’t provide any of the environmental benefits that real turf or plants do, such as absorbing carbon dioxide. Natural grass provides food and habitat for insects, worms and birds; artificial lawns do not.
Even more worryingly, the materials in artificial grass can release toxins into the environment. This can be harmful to both humans and wildlife.
And finally, if the above reasons aren’t enough, artificial grass can be difficult to dispose of, as it can’t be recycled or composted and so it often ends up in landfill, where it can take hundreds of years to decompose. Real grass, on the other hand, is biodegradable and can be recycled or composted. This makes it a much more eco-friendly option for gardens.
A simple choice
We believe that real grass is always the superior choice over artificial grass for garden designs, as it is more aesthetically pleasing, more resilient, and more eco-friendly. For these reasons, we won’t be using artificial grass in our garden designs. Ever.
But, even better than real grass is Wildflower Turf. Read on to discover why we recommend it to many of our clients.
Wildflower Turf: the natural solution
Wildflower turf is a great alternative to artificial grass. It is made up of natural, sustainable materials and is easy to install. It also requires less maintenance than artificial turf, as it doesn’t need to be mowed or watered regularly. This means that it is a more cost-effective option in the long run.
Wildflower turf also provides environmental benefits. It absorbs carbon dioxide, helps to reduce soil erosion, and provides a habitat for wildlife – which promotes biodiversity. This makes it a much more sustainable option than artificial turf.
Find out more about the benefits of Wildflower Turf and why we’re so passionate about it here at Genesis Gardens. You can also read our recent blog: Five beautiful reasons to create a wildflower meadow or use wildflower turf in your garden in 2023.
Embrace your garden’s natural beauty with Wildflower Turf
In conclusion, artificial turf has many downsides, including its environmental impact, lack of resilience, and difficulty in maintenance. This is why we won’t use it in our garden designs.
Instead, if you’re looking for a more natural solution for your garden’s turf needs, we recommend using wildflower turf. It’s easy to instal and maintain and is an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing option for any garden.
To discuss Wildflower Turf or any other aspect of garden design and maintenance in North Wales, get in touch with the Genesis Gardens team via our online form or by phoning 01352 367000.